The prevalence of Toxocara canis ova in soil samples from parks and gardens in the London area

Gillespie, SH; Pereira, Maria Julia Salim; Ramsay, A. Melvin

doi:10.1016/s0033-3506(05)80219-7

Cited by 38 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…have been found in soil samples worldwide. They are present in public and private 13 , Kaduna, Nigeria (50.4%) 22 , Prague, Czech Republic (20.4%) 14 , Sapporo, Japan (7.47%) 25 and London, United Kingdom (6.3%) 15 as well as in different regions of Poland (2-37%) 26 and Spain (3.8-52%) 10 7 , Fernandópolis (20.89%) 5 , Ribeirão Preto (20.5%) 3 and Botucatu (17.5%) 40 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, the canine population density varies from region to region, especially stray dogs. This one factor is related to socio-economic aspects of each population group in the same city 41,42 ; in this context, the peripheral areas of large cities offer better conditions for the high prevalence of helminth parasites 1,10,13,14,15,22,24,25 . The study results obtained in Guarulhos, where approximately 75% of districts had contaminated the soil with parasites responsible for zoonoses, indicate that the majority of the municipal population is at zoonotic risk.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the high incidence of larva migrans syndromes in various regions, few studies have assessed soil contamination in large urban centers 3,10,14,15,18,37,39 . For example, in Guarulhos, a metropolitan area of São Paulo (São Paulo State, Brazil), there is little analysis of soil contamination by helminths that cause zoonoses.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Contamination of public parks and squares from Guarulhos (São Paulo State, Brazil ) by Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp.

Marques¹,

Guimarães²,

Boas³

et al. 2012

Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo

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SUMMARYThe contaminated soil with mammal feces is an important factor of risk to infection with zoonotic diseases. Amongst these zoonoses are visceral larva migrans and cutaneous larva migrans caused by Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp., respectively. The aim of this study was to assess the environmental contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs and hookworms (Ancylostoma spp.) in public parks and squares in the city of Guarulhos, a metropolitan area of São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil. Soil samples were collected, between September and December 2010, and examined using the centrifugal flotation technique with sodium dichromate and zinc sulphate as well as the modified Baermann method. Notably, 35 (74.5%) of the 47 districts surveyed in Guarulhos possessed samples contaminated with Toxocara spp. and/or eggs or larvae of Ancylostoma spp. The frequency of Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp. in the samples from public areas was 68.1% and 46.8%, respectively. Overall, the eastern side of Guarulhos is the region with the highest occurrence of causative agents of larva migrans. In all collection sites, the presence of feces from dogs and cats accompanied by their owners and stray animals were observed. Notably, it is important to adopt measures to control dog and cat breeding, to treat infected animals, and provide health education to the population.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Contamination of public parks and squares from Guarulhos (São Paulo State, Brazil ) by Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp.

Marques¹,

Guimarães²,

Boas³

et al. 2012

Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Direct contact with dogs is unlikely to give rise to infection in humans because the ova must undergo development in the environment before they can become infective 8 . Public parks, particularly playgrounds that are heavily fouled by dogs, may be an important source of infection for humans 7 .Over 12 species of helminths are capable of being transmitted from dogs to humans 17 . Among the zoonotic helminths transmitted by dogs, Toxocara canis is particularly important as the cause of visceral larva migrans in humans 12 , and embryonated ova of this parasite species remain viable for a considerable length of time in soil 16 .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A survey on environmental contamination of suburban parks and playgrounds in Harare, Zimbabwe, with canine helminths of zoonotic significance

Mukaratirwa¹,

Taruvinga²

1999

J. S. Afr. Vet. Assoc.

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A survey on environmental contamination of suburban parks and playgrounds in Harare, Zimbabwe, with canine helminths of zoonotic significance S Mukaratirwa a and M Taruvinga a INTRODUCTIONThe ever-growing population of dogs in cities of developing countries has increased the risk of zoonotic diseases in humans associated with nematode parasitism of dogs 5 . The majority of these dogs have access to the outdoor environment and are likely to contaminate public areas with their faeces 11 . Direct contact with dogs is unlikely to give rise to infection in humans because the ova must undergo development in the environment before they can become infective 8 . Public parks, particularly playgrounds that are heavily fouled by dogs, may be an important source of infection for humans 7 .Over 12 species of helminths are capable of being transmitted from dogs to humans 17 . Among the zoonotic helminths transmitted by dogs, Toxocara canis is particularly important as the cause of visceral larva migrans in humans 12 , and embryonated ova of this parasite species remain viable for a considerable length of time in soil 16 . Human infection with the dog hookworm Ancylostoma sp. can result in cutaneous larva migrans 3 . Human enteritis characterised by abdominal pain and eosinophilia associated with A. caninum infection has also been reported 4,14 . Ancylostoma larvae are present in contaminated environments, and humans are infected when the infective larvae penetrate the skin.The purpose of this survey was to establish the prevalence of helminth ova in dog faecal samples and soil collected from public playgrounds and parks in suburban areas of Harare, Zimbabwe, and to determine the risk of zoonotic disease in humans exposed to the this environment. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study was carried out over a period of 4 months from March 1998 to June 1998. One hundred and sixty-one dog faecal samples and 81 soil samples were collected from 2 public parks and 4 suburban playgrounds in Harare (Mbare, Botanic Gardens, Epworth, Warren Park, Rugare and Waterfalls), which are maintained by the Harare City Council.Details regarding the location and availability of parks and playgrounds was obtained from the City Health Department of the Harare City Council.Polyethylene bags were used to collect the faecal samples by randomly selecting suitable areas in the parks and playgrounds frequented by dogs and humans. Dog faeces on the soil surface could readily be identified as such by their appearance and smell or by the presence of hairs. Faecal material was considered 'moist' when the consistency was of damp or humid nature and 'dry' when the consistency was dry with a powdery texture 13 .A plastic pipe 6 cm in diameter was used for the collection of soil samples. The pipe was thrust into the soil and a sample of 150-200 g per 4 m 2 was collected into polyethylene bags. The samples were a mixture of the superficial and intermediate layer soil (approximately 15 cm deep). Soil samples from Warren Park and Rugare consisted of gravel and the samples we...

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WormWatch: Park soil surveillance reveals extensive Toxocara contamination across the UK and Ireland

et al. 2022

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Background: Toxocarosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease, but sources of infection are not well documented over large geographical scales. To determine levels of environmental contamination, soil from 142 parks and recreational areas across the UK and Ireland was assessed for the presence of Toxocara. Methods: Toxocara ova (eggs) were isolated from soil samples by sieving and flotation and then enumerated. Individual eggs were isolated and imaged, and a subset was characterised by species-specific PCR and Sanger sequencing. Results: Characteristic Toxocara-type eggs were found in 86.6% of parks, with an average of 2.1 eggs per 50 g of topsoil. Representative eggs were confirmed as Toxocara canis by Sanger sequencing, with many eggs containing developed larvae, hence being viable and potentially infective. Positive samples were more common, and egg density was higher, in parks with greater perceived levels of dog fouling. Limitations: Samples were collected at a single timepoint and with limited spatial mapping within parks. Further study is needed to discern spatiotemporal differences within parks and recreational areas. Conclusion: Toxocara is widespread in soil in public parks, indicating a need for further efforts to reduce egg shedding from pet dogs. Standardised methods and large-scale surveys are required to evaluate risk factors for egg presence and the impact of interventions.

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The prevalence of Toxocara canis ova in soil samples from parks and gardens in the London area

Cited by 38 publications

References 15 publications

Contamination of public parks and squares from Guarulhos (São Paulo State, Brazil ) by Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp.

Contamination of public parks and squares from Guarulhos (São Paulo State, Brazil ) by Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp.

A survey on environmental contamination of suburban parks and playgrounds in Harare, Zimbabwe, with canine helminths of zoonotic significance

WormWatch: Park soil surveillance reveals extensive Toxocara contamination across the UK and Ireland

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